One of the best ways to gain new followers, engage and raise the quality of bloggers on Steemit...

This post has been tagged with #steemgrowthfoum - 1. For the main content 2. For the footer content

Check out @aggroed's post here

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Introduction

Over the past few weeks, I've made a conscious effort to take a look through the content of some of the more recent arrivals to the Steem Blockchain.

And, if you've been around a while, it's difficult to remember just how overwhelming this space first felt. I am only occasionally reminded when I introduce friends, or friends of friends contact me for advice.

What I see in the blogs from the newer users is potential, and with some minor improvements, the potential to produce even better work next time around.

Look but don't touch

Something I notice regularly is that when I see a post that has been curated and has been boosted straight into 'hot' or 'trending' with a $30, $50, or even $70 vote, is the lack of comments on the post.

Now this may be because the author is relatively unknown and doesn't have the follower support yet, but the type of comment I'm looking for, from the curator or team, is one of two things along the lines of:

• This work is flipping brilliant, and has been chosen for 'this, and that' reason

• We liked this work, but you can go a step higher by making 'this, and that' improvement/s

I suspect there are a couple of reasons why these comments are not present.

The first being 'friendly' competition between the curation teams. Adding a comment may show that one of these teams is interested, and potentially (although I'm only speculating here) another team could beat them to the punch with a vote, whilst the first team are compiling their final list of blog to be supported.

My solution here would be to go back to the blogs following the votes and give reasons as to why the work was supported, or give a few tips on how to go one better next time.

The second possible reason, and perhaps less excusable, is the laziness of the curators. Maybe they are over-worked and underpaid, maybe they have nothing to say on the subject/formatting, or maybe the blog is just perfect and could not possibly be improved.

I'm not sure though, I think something positive or constructive can be said about most blogs.

Anyway, the point is that this new blogger is missing out on some potentially valuable feedback, which could help them improve in future....

Curate n' Comment

In light of the above, this is what I've been up to during my curation travels. I've got a text file, which in full, looks something like the below. Of course, not all of the text is relevant for each blog, and so I will chop and change it to suit.

Whilst clearly open to improvement additions, I think that these basic formatting tips, and an effort to source photos and cite articles and quotes, can vastly improve users work.

Benefits

• More consistent blog layouts
• Engagement with new and interesting bloggers
• A good chance of a new follower!

The final point I'd like to expand on and say that for almost all the blogs that I've left feedback on, the user has given me a follow. Now, they may quickly find out that I have nothing of interest to say, but the gesture is there.

And who knows, maybe the encouragement given to them has made them buy 500 SP, and they do like what I'm doing enough to stick 5 cents on some of my work.

End

• Curation, particularly towards new users, is key to the growth of blogging on the Steem Blockchain

• Why not give them an extra push with some tips to improve next time

• Questions and/or feedback are very welcome here, and usually rewarded

Have a nice day and thanks for reading

Asher

_{If you are reading this blog and have 100,000+ Steem Power, do not wish to sell your vote, and do not care to curate, delegate your SP to me and I will send you 'your' weekly curation rewards having supported 100's of up and coming authors.
Projected rewards for 100,000 Steem Power 150/200 SBDs per week.
You can choose to receive data and charts displaying which authors / reputations / content has been supported.
The author will receive comments on potential improvements to future blog, and a message relating to their supporter (you) if you wish.
Find me on steemit.chat or discord to discuss further. Thank you.}